System and method for providing an adapter module

ABSTRACT

Disclosed embodiments include a system and method for adapting a wireless device, such as a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or other Bluetooth-enabled device to a hands-free car kit or similar system. The adapter module is physically configured so that it can be inserted directly into the cradle in place of the phone. Once inserted into the cradle, the adapter module makes electrical contact with the connector in the cradle with a matching connector on one side of the adapter module. The mated connectors provide power to the adapter module and bi-directional communications between the adapter module and the hands-free car kit. The adapter module includes circuitry for communicating with the Bluetooth-enabled mobile device and the hands-free car kit in order to exchange communications signals between the Bluetooth-enabled mobile device and the hands-free car kit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/300,842, filed Jun. 25, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to adapters for couplingto wireless communicating devices.

BACKGROUND

In order to participate in wireless telecommunications more easily whiledriving, many drivers have endured considerable expense in terms oftime, money and effort, to have a hands-free car kit professionallyinstalled in their vehicles. The primary advantage to the hands-free carkit is that users can carry on a conversation without having to hold amobile handset to their ear. This frees up the hand that otherwise wouldhave been holding the handset to perform other tasks, such as drivingthe car. The hands-free car kit may even provide other advantages suchas superior reception and sound quality as compared to the handsetalone.

In a typical usage scenario, the user dials a phone number on theirmobile handset to place a call, or receives a call from another user.The user places the handset into a special cradle which has beencustomized for physically holding that handset and for providingelectrical connections to a microphone, speakers and possibly anantenna, as may be associated with the hands-free car kit. In manycases, the cradle and related electrical connections are adapted to onlyone handset model or a small number of closely related handsets. Thevery limited number of phones that a hands-free car kit can work withbecomes a problem when the user desires to change to a new or differentmobile phone handset. The user may want to change their handset becauseit offers better features, is associated with a different wirelessservice provider desired by the user or for any other reason.

Newer phones have historically been smaller and differently shaped fromexisting phones, again giving rise to incompatibility with previouslyinstalled hands-free car kits. Other concurrently offered mobilehandsets tend to have different physical and electrical characteristics.Previously installed hands-free car kits can be replaced with newer ordifferent hands-free car kits associated with a replacement handset.Unfortunately, replacement of the existing hands-free car kit wouldinvolve considerable expense in terms of time, money and effort, notonly to install the replacement hands-free car kit, but to remove theexisting hands-free car kit. It would be desirable to be able to reducethe time, money and/or effort associated with replacing a previouslyinstalled hands-free car kit when the user replaces the handset matchingthe existing hands-free car kit with a newer or different handset thatis substantially incompatible with the existing hands-free car kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the adapter module where in oneembodiment of the invention the adapter module is adapted to communicatewith both a hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile devicesubstantially according to the Bluetooth specification.

FIG. 2 shows an adapter module including a plan view of the adaptermodule where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter module isadapted to communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and aBluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according to the Bluetoothspecification.

FIG. 3 shows an adapter module where in one embodiment of the inventionthe adapter module is shown with an alternative physical configurationadapted to communicate with both a hands-free car kit, and aBluetooth-enabled mobile device substantially according to the Bluetoothspecification.

FIG. 4 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of the adaptermodule where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter module isshown with an alternative physical configuration adapted to communicatewith both a hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile devicesubstantially according to the Bluetooth specification.

FIG. 5 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of the adaptermodule where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter module isshown with an alternative physical configuration adapted to communicatewith both a hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsetsubstantially according to the Bluetooth specification.

FIG. 6 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of the adaptermodule where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter module isshown with an alternative physical configuration adapted to communicatewith both a hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile devicesubstantially according to the Bluetooth specification.

FIG. 7 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of the adaptermodule where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter module withan alternative physical configuration adapted to communicate with both ahands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device substantiallyaccording to the Bluetooth specification.

FIG. 8 shows an adapter module including a block diagram of the adaptermodule where in one embodiment of the invention the adapter module witha power charging cord in alternative physical configuration adapted tocommunicate with both a hands-free car kit, and a Bluetooth-enabledmobile device substantially according to the Bluetooth specification.

In the drawings, the same reference numbers identify identical orsubstantially similar elements or acts. To easily identify thediscussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digitor digits in a reference number refer to the Figure number in which thatelement is first introduced, e.g., element 102 is first introduced anddiscussed with respect to FIG. 1.

Note that the headings provided herein are for convenience and do notnecessarily affect the scope or interpretation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention overcome many of the limitations described inprior and current hands-free car kits and provide additional benefits bycreating a unique adapter using a Bluetooth-enabled adapter module tosupport Bluetooth enabled mobile devices without requiring the device tophysically and electrically match a cradle in an existing hands-free carkit. The adapter module establishes a communications link with aBluetooth-enabled mobile device such as a mobile telephone handset orthe like, using communications protocols established under the Bluetoothstandard.

In one embodiment an adapter module is provided which fits into a cradleof a hands-free car kit. The adapter module is physically configured sothat it can be inserted directly into the cradle in place of the phone.Once inserted into the cradle, the adapter module makes electricalcontact with the connector in the cradle with a matching connector onone side of the adapter module. The mated connectors provide power tothe adapter module and bi-directional communications between the adaptermodule and the hands-free car kit. From the perspective of thehands-free car kit, the adapter module emulates the communication styleof a compatible device.

The adapter module contains a Bluetooth chip or chipset forcommunicating with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, which is definedto include any Bluetooth-enabled device used for communications. TheBluetooth-enabled mobile device may have an integrated Bluetoothcapability added during manufacture or may be upgraded to contain theBluetooth capability after manufacture. In any case, the adapter moduleexchanges digitized information, such as digitized spoken words, withthe Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, thereby allowing users to carry ona conversation with a remote user via the user's hands-free car kit andtheir now Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.

Embodiments of the invention described herein provide an adapter modulefor adapting a hands-free car kit to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device,allowing all Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices to utilize an existing orotherwise incompatible hands-free car kit. Presently available andpresently installed hands-free car kits only work with a very limitednumber of mobile devices. The invention enables such hands-free car kitsto work with any Bluetooth-enabled mobile device. Significantlymitigating the associated costs of acquiring a compatible hands-free carkit in terms of time, money and effort with upgrading to anyBluetooth-enabled phone. Once an embodiment of the invention isinstalled with a hands-free car kit, any number of future substitutionsof different Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices will incur no additionalcost regarding the hands-free car kit, because the hands-free car kit incombination with the adapter module will be compatible with all suchBluetooth-enabled mobile devices and other such Bluetooth-enableddevices. Embodiments of the invention thereby make it easier for a userto upgrade as often as they choose to better Bluetooth-enabled mobiledevices, or change to more cost-effective Bluetooth-enabled mobiledevices.

“Bluetooth” refers to a set of specifications designed to standardizewireless transmission between a wide variety of devices, such aspersonal computers (“PCs”), cordless telephones, headsets, printers,personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), etc. Bluetooth acts as a “virtualcable,” whereby a computer can automatically use a mobiletelecommunications device (such as a mobile cell phone) to send datawirelessly, such as exchange e-mail, transmit data to a fax machine,etc. Under the Bluetooth specification, Bluetooth devices will operatein a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that most countries, includingthe United States, have agreed will remain unlicensed. The Bluetoothtransceiver operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The Bluetooth spectrumranges from 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz, thus yielding 83.5 MHz ofallocated bandwidth which includes a 2 MHz lower guardband, a 3.5 MHzupper guard band and 78 1 MHz channels in the available 78 MHz betweenthe guardbands for communications. Bluetooth operates using frequencyhopping spread spectrum, where data packets are spread across theBluetooth Spectrum at a nominal rate of 1,600 hops per second to lesseninterference and fading. According to the Bluetooth specification,Bluetooth devices are slated to operate their antennas, for examplehaving zero directional gain, at one of three different maximum antennapower levels, i.e., 1 mW, 2.5 mW and 100 mW. The nominal link range is10 meters, and the gross data rate is 10 Mbps, although increases may bepossible.

Details on Bluetooth may be found at http://www.Bluetooth.com,http://www.palowireless.com, “Bluetooth Revealed”, Miller & Bisdikian,Prentice Hall PTR, 2001, and “Bluetooth Demystified”, Muller,McGraw-Hill, 2001, and in particular, “Specification of the BluetoothSystem,” version 1.1:http://www.Bluetooth.com/developer/specification/specification.asp.

The following description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of, and enabling description for embodiments of theinvention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that theinvention may be practiced without these details. In other instances,well known structures and functions have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of theembodiments of the invention. While aspects of the invention aredescribed herein as employing the Bluetooth protocol, those skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that aspects of the invention areequally applicable with other communication protocols and standards,including wireless networking protocols such as IEEE 802.11, contactlesssmart cards, IrDA standards, Home RF, etc.

Turning to FIG. 1, an adapter module 100 is shown. The adapter module100 contains a connector 102 for physically and electrically mating witha corresponding connector in a cradle of a hands-free car kit (shownelsewhere). Note that the invention is not limited to electricalcommunications, other forms of communications, such as opticalcommunications are also envisioned. The connector 102 is also connectedto hands-free communication logic 104. The hands-free communicationlogic 104 contains circuitry for exchanging digitized or analog voicesignals, depending on the type of hands-free car kit is being used, withthe hands-free car kit through the connector 102. The hands-freecommunication logic 104 is adapted for communication with a particularhands-free car kit or set of hands-free car kits. The number ofdifferent adapter modules 100 corresponds to the number of differenthands-free car kit communication styles. The hands-free communicationlogic 104 exchanges voice signals with voice codec logic 106 whichconverts the voice signals into an encoded speech format for exchangewith radio codec logic 107. In one embodiment the voice codec logic 106converts analog signals into a digital form before converting them intoan encoded speech format. The radio codec logic 107 exchanges the voicesignals with the voice codec logic 106 and Bluetooth logic 108. Theradio codec logic 107 exchanges a bit stream of digitized voice signalswith the Bluetooth logic 108. Note that the radio codec logic 107 isshown separate from the Bluetooth logic 108 for illustration purposes.The radio codec logic 107 may be considered as part of the Bluetoothlogic 108.

Analogous to the hands-free communication logic 104, the Bluetooth logic108 contains circuitry for wirelessly exchanging digitized voice signalswith an external device, e.g., the Bluetooth-enabled mobile device,substantially according to the Bluetooth specification. The Bluetoothlogic 108 performs encryption and decryption of the voice signals underthe Bluetooth specification for wireless communications. The Bluetoothlogic 108 may include an antenna suitable for communications underBluetooth specification or may be operatively coupled to an externalantenna. Bluetooth chips and/or chipsets are expected to be available incommercial quantities from Ericsson (Sweden), Motorola (Illinois), andNokia (Finland), among others. The hands-free communication logic 104,the voice codec logic 106, the radio codec logic 107, the Bluetoothlogic 108 and a user control interface 112 are connected to andcontrolled by control logic 110. The control logic 110 may include acentral processing unit (known as a “CPU”) and memory, which in oneembodiment is flash memory. The user control interface 112 includesbuttons, visual indicators such as LEDs and/or lights and associateddrivers and logic to receive input from the user and display statusconditions back to the user, in general, to provide the interfacebetween the user and the adapter module 100. For example, the usercontrol interface 112 may, for example, indicate successful adaptermodule 100 and hands-free car kit mating, power on-off or theestablishment of communications with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile deviceor other device. In another embodiment, the adapter module 100 is notlimited to voice signals, but is adapted to exchange voice and/or datasignals, e.g., for exchanging data with other parts or contents of thevehicle capable of exchanging data.

By way of example, in one embodiment, a user driving her vehicle maymake or accept a phone call with a friend on the user'sBluetooth-enabled mobile telephone handset. The user speaks into themicrophone associated with the hands-free car kit and the user's voiceis digitized and transmitted from the hands-free car kit through theconnector 102 on the adapter module 100 to the hands-free communicationlogic 104. The hands-free communication logic 104 interfaces with thehands-free car kit and passes the digitized voice signals to the voicecodec logic 106, which in turn creates encoded speech with the voicesignals, and passes the voice signals to the radio codec logic 107. Theradio codec 107 translates the encoded voice signals into a bit streamrepresentation and sends the voice signals to the Bluetooth logic 108under control of the control logic 110. The Bluetooth logic 108 takesthe digitized voice signals and passes them wirelessly, andsubstantially according to the Bluetooth specification, to the user'sBluetooth-enabled device, which transmits the digitized voice signals tothe user's friend via the wireless and possibly other networks to thefriend's telephone.

The friend vocally responds to the user and the friend's voice istransmitted to the user's Bluetooth-enabled mobile device. TheBluetooth-enabled mobile device passes the friend's digitized voicesignals to the Bluetooth logic 108 in the adapter module 100substantially according to the Bluetooth specification. The Bluetoothlogic 108 passes the digitized voice signals to the radio codec logic107 in a bit stream format. The radio codec logic 107 transforms thevoice signal bit stream into an encoded voice signal format passes thevoice signals to the Voice Coded logic which decodes the voice signaland passes it to the hands-free communication logic 104. The hands-freecommunication logic 104 transmits the digitized voice signals throughthe connector 102 in the format expected by the hands-free car kit. Thehands-free car kit plays the friend's vocal response on speakersconnected to the hands-free car kit.

In one embodiment the adapter module 100 enables backward compatibilityof this invention such that two users can use the hands-free car kit,one user with a Bluetooth-enabled device, the other with a non-Bluetoothhandset for which the hands-free car kit had originally been purchased.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, an adaptermodule 200 is shown. As described herein, the adapter module 200contains the connector 102 for physically and electrically mating with acorresponding cradle connector 204 in a hands-free car kit cradle 206.Signals are exchanged between adapter module 200 and the hands free carkit cradle 206 via the mated connectors 102, 204. The signals move in abi-directional fashion across the mated connectors 102, 204. Electricalpower is also provided to the adapter module 200 through the matedconnectors 202, 204.

The user, or others, can easily install the adapter module 200 into thecradle 206 by inserting the adapter module 200 into the cradle 206 withthe adapter module connector 102 facing the cradle connector 204, andpushing the adapter module 200 closer to the cradle connector 204 untila physical and electrical connection between the connectors 102, 204 ismade, resulting in the connectors 102, 204 being mated. The adaptermodule connector 102 is brought into alignment with the cradle connector204 in order for mating to occur. The invention is not limited to anyone particular embodiment for ensuring that the connectors 102, 204 areproperly aligned in order to be mated. For example, the adapter module200 may be physically keyed so that misorientation is not possible,likewise, the connectors 102, 204 may also be keyed. The connectors mayalso be made symmetrical so orientation is less important. Markings canbe placed on the surface of the adapter module 200, and correspondinginstructions included in an accompanying manual, to guide the user inmaking a proper connection. In one embodiment one or more small lights,such as an light emitting diode (known as an “LED”) is controlled by theuser control interface 112 in the adapter module 200 and placed on asurface of the adapter module opposite the connector 102. One of thesmall lights indicate that a proper connection has been made and thesetup is working.

An alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 isshown as an adapter module 300. In general, alternatives and alternativeembodiments described herein are substantially similar to previouslydescribed embodiments, and common elements are identified by the samereference numbers. Only significant differences in construction oroperation are described in detail. The adapter module 300 in thisembodiment is shaped similarly to the mobile handset that the hands-freecar kit cradle 206 was designed to receive in order to prevent items,such as a different mobile device, from being inserted into the cradle.This provides an indication to the user and others that the cradle is inuse and they should not attempt to force objects into it and provides acleaner appearance. In this or other embodiments, the adapter module 300may have various markings such as those described herein as well as oneor more trademarks and/or other symbols as desired such as trademarks ofthe manufacturer and a Bluetooth trademark as an indication of Bluetoothcompatibility. In this or other embodiments the adapter module maycontain an antenna portion 304 which functions to aid the adapter moduleto communicate with a Bluetooth-enabled device.

In a second alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.4, an adapter module 400 is shown. In one portion, the adapter module400 in this embodiment is shaped similarly to the mobile handset thatthe hands-free car kit cradle 206 was designed to receive in order toprevent items, such as a different mobile handset, from being insertedinto a cradle 206. The adapter module contains an antenna portion 404which functions to aid the adapter module to communicate with aBluetooth-enabled device. As described herein, the adapter module 400contains the connector 102 for physically and electrically mating with acorresponding cradle connector 204 in a hands-free car kit cradle 206.The user, or others, can easily install the adapter module 400 into thecradle 206 by inserting the adapter module 400 into the cradle 206 withthe adapter module connector 406 facing the cradle connector 204, andpushing the adapter module 400 closer to the cradle connector 204 untila physical and electrical connection between the connectors 102, 204 ismade, resulting in the connectors 102, 204 being mated. The adaptermodule 400 further has a clip 410 for holding the user's Bluetoothenabled device having a compatible protrusion for the convenience of theuser.

In a third alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.5, an adapter module 500 is shown. In one portion, the adapter module500 in this embodiment is shaped similarly to the mobile handset thatthe hands-free car kit cradle 206 was designed to receive in order toprevent items, such as a different mobile handset, from being insertedinto a cradle 206. The adapter module 500 contains the antenna portion504 which functions to aid the adapter module to communicate with aBluetooth-enabled device. The adapter module 500 further has a button510 for holding the user's Bluetooth-enabled device having a compatibleclip for the convenience of the user.

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.6, an adapter module 600 is shown. In one portion, the adapter module600 in this embodiment is shaped similarly to the mobile handset thatthe hands-free car kit cradle 206 was designed to receive in order toprevent items, such as a different mobile handset, from being insertedinto a cradle 206. The adapter module contains an adapter cradle portion604 which forms a new cradle to hold a Bluetooth-enabled device for theconvenience of the user. The user places their Bluetooth-enabled mobiledevice into the adapter cradle portion 604. In one embodiment, noconnectors are used to connect the handset to the adapter cradle portion604 because the handset and the adapter cradle portion 604 use wirelesscommunications substantially according to the Bluetooth specification.In an alternative embodiment a dummy connector is used to better holdthe Bluetooth-enabled mobile device in place. In yet another embodiment,the adapter module contains a connector for providing electrical powerto the Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.

In a fifth alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.7, an adapter module 700 is shown. In one proximal portion 702 withrespect to the hands-free car kit cradle 206, the adapter module 700 inthis embodiment is shaped similarly to the mobile handset that thehands-free car kit cradle 206 was designed to receive in order toprevent items, such as a different mobile handset, from being insertedinto the cradle 206. The adapter module also contains an adapter cradleportion 704 which forms a new cradle to hold a Bluetooth-enabled devicefor the convenience of the user. The user places their Bluetooth-enabledmobile device into the adapter cradle portion 704 as described inrelation to FIG. 6, however, the adapter cradle portion 704 may be atany angle with respect to the cradle 206. In one embodiment the adaptercradle portion 704 is on a pivot connected to the proximal portion 702.In an alternative embodiment the adapter cradle portion 704 is connectedby a telescoping mount to the proximal portion 702. In yet anotherembodiment the adapter cradle portion 704 is on a flexible mountconnected to the proximal portion 702. In still another embodiment theadapter cradle portion 704 is on a hinged mount connected to theproximal portion 702.

In a sixth alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.8, an adapter module 200 is shown. The adapter module contains anadditional power charging cord 808, not shown in FIG. 2. The power cord808 receives electrical power from the hands-free car kit through themated connectors 102, 204. The electrical power is carried through theadapter module 200 to the power charging cord 808 which itself has aconnector portion 810 for connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled mobiledevice or other Bluetooth-enabled device and for providing electricalpower to such handset or device.

The advantages of the invention combine to overcome or mitigate a numberof shortcomings of prior hands-free car kits as well as provideadditional benefits. For example, embodiments of the invention overcomethe problem of users having to replace existing or incompatiblehands-free car kits because they have acquired, or wish to acquire, anew Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, by giving such incompatible carkits a Bluetooth communications capability with the adapter module. Thisallows any Bluetooth-enabled device to communicate through an adaptermodule compatible with any particular hands-free car kit. Thus theinvention overcomes the need to replace an installed hands-free car kitbecause the user wants a different mobile device. Embodiments of theinvention mitigate the problem of the associated time, money and effortrequired to have an existing hands-free car kit removed and areplacement hands-free car kit professionally installed in theirvehicles, by providing an adapter module for the existing hands-free carkit so it no longer requires replacement. In one embodiment it isexpected that users could quickly and easily install the adapter moduleby sliding it into their existing hands-free cradles. It is alsoexpected that the adapter module will be considerably less expensivethan replacing a hands-free car kit, thereby reducing the amount oftime, money and effort required to gain a compatible hands-free car kitfor their Bluetooth-enabled device.

Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that while adaptermodules are described herein in combination with Bluetoothcommunications, the invention may employ any wireless communicationstandard or device. Such a standard or device may have lessfunctionality and be cheaper to implement than the described adaptermodule. Aspects of the invention can be embodied in a special purposecomputer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured,or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executableinstructions explained in detail herein. Indeed, the term “adaptermodule”, as used generally herein, refers to any of the above devices,as well as to any data processor. Data structures and transmission ofdata particular to aspects of the invention are also encompassed withinthe scope of the invention. In general, while hardware platforms such asstationary and mobile devices are described herein, aspects of theinvention are equally applicable to nodes on the network havingcorresponding resource locators to identify such nodes. Further,although embodiments of the invention have primarily been discussed inthe context of an adapter module for retrofitting hands free car kitsfor use with mobile devices having short range wireless networkingcapabilities, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that thedisclosed innovations are equally applicable to adapting hands free carkits to conform with many other capabilities of various mobile devices.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including,but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number alsoinclude the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, thewords “herein,” “hereunder,” “above”, “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings ofthe invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described herein. The various embodimentsdescribed herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. Theseand other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detaileddescription.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. For example, while only oneaspect of the invention is recited as embodied in a computer-readablemedium, other aspects may likewise be embodied in a computer-readablemedium. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additionalclaims after filing the application to pursue such additional claimforms for other aspects of the invention.

Incorporated by reference herein are all above references, patents, orapplications and the following U.S. patent applications, which areassigned to the assignee of this application: patent application Ser.No. ______, entitled, Apparatus For Providing Power And WirelessProtocol Capability To A Mobile Device, Such As A Wireless Phone, filed______, 2001 (attorney docket no. 10194-8003US); and patent applicationSer. No. ______, entitled, System and Method For Providing An AdapterModule, filed ______, 2001 (attorney docket no. 10194-8004US). Aspectsof the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,functions and concepts of the various patents and applications describedabove to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. These andother changes can be made to the invention in light of the abovedetailed description. In general, the terms used in the followingclaims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detaileddescription explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scopeof the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under theclaims.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. An adapter module, for use with a wireless deviceand a hands-free car kit having a cradle, comprising: communicationlogic for adapting said hands-free car kit to at least some capabilitiesof telecommunications devices; and a housing that substantially enclosessaid communication logic, wherein said housing is conformed to mate withthe cradle of the hands-free car kit and mates with the cradle in placeof the wireless device.
 27. The adapter module of claim 26, furthercomprising a connector for providing electrical power to the mobiledevice.
 28. The adapter module of claim 26, further comprising afastener for holding the mobile device.
 29. The adapter module of claim28, wherein said fastener is a button.
 30. The adapter module of claim28, wherein said fastener is a clip.
 31. The adapter module of claim 26,further comprising an adapter cradle for holding the mobile device. 32.An adapter module for use with a hands-free car kit having a cradle anda Bluetooth-enabled wireless device, comprising: communication logic foradapting said hands-free car kit to at least some capabilities oftelecommunications devices; Bluetooth logic substantially compatiblewith at least one Bluetooth standard to wirelessly exchangecommunication signals with a Bluetooth-enabled device; wherein theadapter module is capable of backward communication with anon-Bluetooth-enabled wireless device.
 33. An adapter module, for usewith a hands-free car kit having a cradle and a wireless device,comprising: wireless communication logic to wirelessly exchangecommunication signals with the wireless device; communication logic foradapting the hands-free car kit to at least some capabilities oftelecommunications devices; and a housing that substantially enclosesthe wireless communication logic and the communication logic.
 34. Theadapter module of claim 33, further comprising: an adapter connector fortransferring electrical power from the hands-free car kit to the adaptermodule and for exchanging communication signals between thecommunication logic in the adapter module and the hands-free car kit.35. The adapter module of claim 33, further comprising: control logiccommunicatively coupled to the wireless communication logic and thecommunication logic, wherein the control logic provides control signalsto the wireless communication logic and the communication logic tocontrol the exchange of communication signals between the wirelessdevice and the hands-free car kit.